Fiji beaten by strong Cardiff

Press, 14 October 1985, Page 29

Fiji beaten by strong Cardiff

NZPA-Reuter Cardiff Fiji suffered the first defeat, on Saturday, of its rugby tour of Wales and Ireland in only its second game, losing, 31-15, to CarAlthough Fiji delighted the 15,000 crowd with some typical fast running and two well taken first-half tries, its weakness up front was painfully exposed by the powerful Welsh club, which last season beat the Australian touring team. Fiji’s inability to win the ball in scrum and line-outs meant Cardiff spent long spells in control. Fiji fell behind after only two minutes when the former first five-eighths, Gareth Davies, landed the first of three penalties from 35m.

A try by Terry Holmes, converted by Davies, made it 9-0 for Cardiff, but Nawalu, after a scrum under the home side’s posts, darted over for a try for Fiji, converted by Damu. Adrian Hadley scored, Davies kicked a second penalty then Niuqila, in a fine, flowing move involving all the back row, replied with Fiji’s second try. Trailing 16-12 at the interval, Fiji fought with determination in the second half, but with the international lock, Robert Norster, totally dominating the line-outs further tries — by Hadley and full back Paul Rees — were inevitable. Fiji’s only offering in a second half which lasted 53 minutes because of injuries was a penalty by Damu.